Arrows need to sharpen up for Sundowns
WITH a squad that is close to full strength Golden Arrows are quietly confident of putting on a competitive showing when they visit Mamelodi Sundowns in a Nedbank Cup last 16 clash this afternoon.
Arrows are in a healthier state than over the past month, with numerous players eligible for selection following an assortment of injuries. Back in contention for the trip to Atteridgeville are Vuyani Ntanga, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Danny Phiri, Chiukepo Msowoya and Limbikani Mzava.
It also helps that Durban’s only remaining representatives in the national knockout competition enjoy decent form, which is better than that of the African champions. Whereas Sundowns are winless in four matches in continental and domestic outings, Abafana Bes’thende have won their past two assignments in league and cup action.
“I think winning gives players confidence that they can go and take on Sundowns now,” said Arrows coach Clinton Larsen. “And hopefully the players coming back now keeps everybody on their toes.
“The guys who have the jerseys want to hold on to them and the guys outside are fighting to get back into the team. I think that is a win-win situation for the club.”
Following the 2-0 defeat of defending champions SuperSport United by amateurs KwaDukuza United in Clermont earlier this week, Arrows are the only local side in the race.
They feature in one of three all-Premiership clashes today. In the other afternoon game Chippa United face Polokwane City, and in the late game Orlando Pirates will hope to redeem themselves against Free State Stars after they were humbled 3-2 by the same team in the league at the weekend.
Tomorrow’s matches serve up the potential of upsets. Larsen’s former team Bloemfontein Celtic host First Division fliers Mbombela United, and Kaizer Chiefs visit amateurs Acornbush United to round off the last 16 ties.
Already through to the quarter-finals with KwaDukuza are Jomo Cosmos and Platinum Stars. They will join the winners of this weekend’s clashes in the draw on Monday night.
The return of players like Dikgacoi and Msowoya, both experienced internationals, gives Arrows greater room to manoeuvre and hopefully be one of the teams in the quarter-final draw, said Larsen.
“Our objective is simple. We try to win every single game we play We’ll put the strongest team out there for the Cup and the strongest team out for the following game against Wits.
“It is seven games in April. It’s a tough schedule on everybody. But I’m happy that we got the players back, so if we do need to rotate we’ve got a little bit more depth now with guys coming back from injury.”
However, he wasn’t reading anything into the Brazilians’ winless patch, and believed their pedigree could always carry them through sticky situations such as these.
“Sundowns are favourites in every game they go in, regardless of their form. Statistics speak volumes. We are going to go there and remain humble like we are, remain the small club that we are and just go there and fight for every single minute,” said Larsen.